Electrical motor apparatus



NOV- 5, 1957 E. J.' MAsTNEY 2,812,453

ELECTRICAL MOTOR APPARATUS Filed Aug. 3, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Vf ,j @Way/@my M mil IMM Nov. 5, 1957 E.Y.J. MAsTNl-:Y 2,312,453

ELECTRICAL MOTOR APPARATUS Filed Aug. s, 1954 z sheets-sheet 2 IN V EN 710% @M51 wm United States Patent Otiice 2,812,453 Patented Nov. 5, 1957 ELECTRICAL MoToR APPARATUS Edward J. Mastney, Berwyn, Ill., assignor to Oak Mfg. Co., Cook County, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 3, 1954, Serial No. 447,574

3 Claims. (Cl. 310-23) This invention relates to an electrical apparatus and particularly to means for preventing the overshoot of a rotary load energized or actuated by a rotary solenoid. The invention described and claimed herein is a modification of the invention disclosed and claimed in the joint application of James A. Dolesh and Edward J. Mastney, Serial No. 359,502, led June 4, 1953.

The invention herein is adapted to be used in conjunction with any type of rotary solenoid but is particularly adapted to be used in conjunction with the rotary solenoid disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,430,940, issued November 18, 1947. In the rotary solenoid as described and claimed in said patent, a rotary armature is provided having a limited range of angular movement, the armature being so constructed that during the angular movement of the armature, the armature itself is moved longitudinally or" the axis of the armature to approach or recede from pole pieces. In other words, a point on the armature during armature movements describes a helix. ln connection with such solenoids, it is well known that the acceleration on the armature increases as the armature approaches the pole pieces. With loads having substantial inertia, it has been found that when the armature reaches the end of its stroke, the inertia of theV load is apt to cause the load to overshoot. Frequently such loads are connected to the rotary solenoid by ratchet means so that the overshoot of the load will result in undesired movement. In the case of the rotary switching, this may impair the usefulness of the rotary switch and render the control of the rotary switch unstable.

The invention provides a simple means for preventing overshoot of the load. The drawings show an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood, however, that some variations may be made without departure from the scope of the invention except as defined by the appended claims.

Referring therefore to the drawings, Figure l shows a top plan view of a mechanism embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional' view of the mechanism along line 3 3 of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is an elevation generally similar to Figure 2 but showing the solenoid portion cut away and showing an enlarged view of the mechanism for preventing overshoot.

Figure 5 is a detail of a pawl and ratchet used. in the mechanism.

Figure 6 is. a detail' of the cam for controlling the circuit of the winding for the rotary solenoid.

Figure 7 is an exploded view of certain parts `of the mechanism'for preventing overshoot.

Any rotary solenoidY may be usedl in connection with the present invention, the only requirement beingthat the rotary solenoid have a predetermined fixed angle of rotary movement. As illustrated, rotary solenoid generally indicated by numeral 10 has rotary plate 11 secured to shaft 12 extending through the rotary solenoid. The rotary solenoid illustrated here is more fully disclosed in the United States patent previously identified. Rotary plate 11 has a number, here shown as three, of arcuate recesses generally indicated by numeral 14, these recesses varying in depth along the length of the recess in one direction. Suitable ball bearings 15 operate in these recesses, these ball bearings cooperating with corresponding recesses in the fixed portion of the solenoid.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, rotary plate 11 will turn in a counter-clockwise direction during a power stroke, this being the direction of shaft rotation when looking down from the switch side of the entire mechanism. The travel of plate 11 is limited to a particular angle, suitable means as a coil spring being provided to return the rotary solenoid to a starting position when the solenoid winding is de-energized.

As is more fully disclosed in the patent previously referred to, rotary plate 11, on its power stroke, moves toward the body of the rotary solenoid, this forward movement causing shaft 12 to turn and be moved upwardly as seen in Figures 2 and 4.

The rotary solenoid carries at the front or drive end thereof solenoid mounting plate 17 having suitable opening 18 and carrying studs 19 and 20. Shaft 12 extends beyond plate 17 within opening 18 and carries rigidly attached thereto driving yoke 22 having yoke body 23, slot 24 and cam drive linger 25 extending parallel to the axis of shaft 12. Finger 25 and slot 24 are diametrically opposite each other with respect to the axis of shaft 10.

Studs 19 and 20 carry sleeves 27 and 28. Each sleevehas annular grooves 29 and 30 formed therein. Retained in position between sleeves 27 and 28 at groove 29 is anchor plate 32 having its edge serrated as shown. Plate 32 and the serrations are so designed that the anchor plate will lit underneath drive yoke 22 and be maintained in position by the stud sleeves. The anchor plate serves to maintain the coil spring of the rotary solenoid in position below it.

Supported by studs 19 and 20 above sleeves 27 and 28 is mounting plate 35 having an elongated irregular shape. Mounting plate 35 carries bushings 36 and 37 at the ends thereof, these bushings being disposed on a line passing through the axis of shaft 12. Mounting plate 35 has slot 38 at one part thereof. Mounting plate 35 has annular boss 39 at aperture 40 in the mounting plate, aperture 40 being concentric with shaft 12. Resting on mounting plate 35 is cam 41 having a suitable aperture so that the cam may fit over boss 39 of the mounting plate. The thickness of cam 41 is about equal to the height of boss 39 so that the cam may move easily around the boss.

Cam 41 has cam slot 42 and cam operating ngers 43 and 44 disposed on opposite sides of the axis of shaft 12. Switch contacts 45 and 46 suitably supported are adapted to be operated by cam 41 so that the circuit for the winding of the rotary solenoid will be opened after a predetermined rotation of shaft 12. Cam 41 and mounting plate 35 are maintained as a sub-assembly by spring plate 48 retained in position by bushings 36 and 37.

Spring plate 48 is suitably apertured to accommodate stub-shaft 50 disposed in aligned relationship with rotary relay shaft 12. Stub-shaft 50 may have its cross section deformed from a circular shape, the stub-shaft as illustrated having two oppositely disposed flat portions 51 and 52. Stub-shaft 50 carries at its bottom end rigidly attached thereto pinion 54 having suitably shaped ratchet teeth 55. As illustrated in Figure 7, for example, pinion 54 has tooth 55 so shaped that ratchet means for driving the pinion may drive pinion 54 in a counter-clockwise D direction and slip in a clockwise direction (Figures 5 and 7). This, however, may be reversed if desired.

Pinion 54 lies just below mounting plate 35 and is at some distance above drive yoke 22. Where the expressions above and below are used, it will be assumed that the mechanism is in position as illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 7 with the rotary solenoid at the bottom.

Disposed below mounting plate 35 is a pawl plate assembly including pawl plate 57 having slot 58 at one end and pawl back stop 59 at the other end. As indicated 1n Figures 5 and 6, pawl plate 57 is laterally disposed to clear the projecting tip of shaft 59 below pinion 54. The pinion itself, however, partly overlays the pawl plate. Pawl plate 57 is adapted to move longitudinally and has the plate portions bordering slot 58 operate in annular groove 30 of sleeve 27. The end of the pawl plate at slot 58 is supported against lateral movement (movement parallel to the axis of shaft l2) by the engagement of the edge of the metal at slot 5S cooperating with groove 36 in the sleeve. At the other end of pawl 57, namely near pawl back stop 59, is pivot pin 61 securely riveted in aperture 62 (Figure 7) in the body of pawl plate 57. Pin 61 carries slotted bushing 63.(Figure 2) which operates in slot 38 of mounting plate 35. Slotted bushing 63 is large enough so that the pawl plate may move longitudinally but is supported against lateral movement.

Pin 6l carries pawl 64,'the pawl being disposed against the top surface of the body of pawl plate 57 and lying in the same plane as pinion 54. Pawl 64 has the shape of a bell crank and has pawl tooth 65 and detent tooth 66 at the two ends thereof, the pawl being adapted to be rocked through a limited range. Pawl back stop 59 of pawl plate 57 cooperates with pawl 64 to provide one limit of the range of movement. Pawl 64 is biased by spring 68 having one loop disposed around finger 69 formed from pawl plate 57; Spring 68 has end 70 curled around the edge of the body of pawl plate 57 for anchorage and has remaining end 7l shaped to curly around the body of pawl 64. near pawl tooth 65. Thus as illustrated in Figure 7, pawl 64 will be biased so that stop 59 will engage the body of the pawl. The pawl itself when in normal position has tooth 65 resting at the base of a pinion tooth and detent tooth 66 just clearing theV tip of a different pinion tooth. Y v Pawl plate 57 has linger 73 extending downwardly from the body thereof, this finger being so oriented as to enter slot 24 of drive yoke 22 to be operated thereby.

Bushings 36 and 37 carried by mounting plate 35 are adapted to have studs 75 and 76 rigidly secured thereto, these studs extending up generally parallel to the axis of shaft 12. Studs '75 and 76 have suitable spacing sleeves 77 and are adapted to support in spaced parallel relation switch sections generally indicated by 3i). These switch sections may consist of stators 8l (Figure l) and rotors 82 rotatably secured to shaft 50 by having mutilated non-circular apertures therethrough. The top end of shaft 50 may carry coupling yoke 84 for coupling tol an additional load, if desired. The switch sections may have any desired construction, such as for example as described and claimed in United States Patent No. 2,186,- 949. One of the switch sections, in this case the lowest one, may carry switches 45 and 46 for cooperation with Cam 41.

The operation of the mechanism will now be described. Assuming that the winding of the rotary solenoid is energized, shaft 12 will be turned in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Figures l and 3, the shaft turning through a predetermined angle determined bythe mechanical details of the rotary solenoid. Drive yoke 22 will accordingly be turned in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Figure 7. Cam drive finger 25 will move cam 41 soV that cam ends 43 and 44 will operate switches 45 and 46; At least one of these switches will be connected in series with the winding of the rotary solenoid so that the circuit for the winding will be opened after' the solenoid shaft has moved through a predetermined angle.

In practice, the circuit is opened before the movable part self has/sufficient range. is advanced by one tooth during theV power stroke of the of the ysolenoid has reached the limit -of its travel to utilize the .momentum of the various parts.

Looking at Figures 5 and 7, yoke 22 will be turned counterclockwise on the power stroke of the solenoid. The movement of yoke 22 will cause plate 57 to move longitudinally because of the engagement of finger 73 with the outer surface of yoke 22.

Figure 5 shows plate 57 after it has thus been moved. In Figure 7, the movement of plate 57 will be up and to tne right.

Since bell-crank 64 is pivoted upon plate 57, bellcrank 64 will be moved with the plate. Ratchet tooth 64 engages a tooth of pinion 54 and will cause this pinion to move in a counterclockwise direction. Detent tooth 66 cannot function until plate 57 reaches the position shown in Figure 5. Any tendency for overshoot of pinion 54 will cause tooth 65 to be moved to the right as seen in Figure 5 and will permit the outer edge of detent tooth 66 to press against tooth 55 of pinion 54. Any tendency for tooth 66 to slip along'the crest of tooth 55 will result in the point of tooth 65 exerting force against its cooperating tooth 55 to stop movement of pinion 54. In the position shown in Figure 5, bell-crank 64 functions as an escapement. Thus as long as plate 57 is in its upward position as illustrated in Figure 5, it is impossible for pinion 55 to turn in either direction.

Upon de-energization of the solenoid, coil spring 9 in the solenoid will return yoke 22, the movement of the yoke now being clockwise as seen in Figure 7. This will permit plate 57 to drop to its lower position from that shown in Figure 5. When plate 57 moves straight down as seen in Figure 5, detent tooth 66 will be moved radially away from the pinion teeth, theV resulting clearance per- 35fmitting bell-crank 64 to rock clockwise when tooth 65 slips past pinion tooth 55.

The angleV of movement will be determined by one tooth of pinion 54, assuming, of course, that the solenoid it- As thus described the pinion solenoid. By reversing the direction of power stroke the advance of the pinion will be lon the return stroke of the solenoid.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination a rotary solenoid having a driving yoke rotatable over a limited angular range, the direction of movement depending upon solenoid energization or de-energization, and means cooperating with said solenoid to prevent overshoot of the load of the solenoid, said means comprising a mounting plate, means for securing said mounting plate in fixed relation to said rotary solenoid with the plane of the mounting plate being substantially normal to the axis of the movable part of the rotary solenoid, a stub shaft rotatably carried by said mounting plate and axially alined with the rotary'portion of the solenoid, a pinion having ratchet teeth rigidly secured to said stub shaft, said pinion being disposed on the side of said mounting plate nearest the rotary solenoid, an elongated pawl plate, means for securing said pawl plate so that it is in spaced parallel relation to the mounting plate, Asaid pawl plate being secured so that it is movable along its own length over a limited range, said pawl plate being laterally offset from the axis of the pinion, a bellcrank shaped pawl pivotally secured on said pawl plate for cooperation with said pinion, said pawl having a pointed tooth at one end and a detent tooth at the other end and being adapted to alternately engage the teeth of the pinion, said pawl plate in one end position disposing the pawl so that the two arms thereof may cooperate with the pinion teeth, spring means for biasing said pawl so that the pointed tooth portion thereof engages the base of a pinion tooth with the detent portion lying outside of the tip of a pinion tooth, said pawl plate being movable to its other end position where the pointed tooth of the pawl still cooperates with the pinion teeth but wherein the pawl detent is clear of the pinion teeth and a finger extending I' from said pawl plate for engagement with said driving yoke whereby said pawl plate may be oscillated upon operation of said rotary solenoid.

2. The construction according to claim 1 wherein said driving yoke comprises a plate having a slot into which the finger from said pawl plate extends.

3. The construction according to claim 2 wherein said driving yoke has a finger extending parallel to the axis of the stub shaft, a cam rotatably secured on said mounting plate, said cam having a slot for accommodating the finger from said driving yoke, said cam having at least one cam portion for operating a switch for controlling energization of the rotary solenoid.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Palmer Ian. 17, 1905 Hall Nov. 4, 1913 Nachod May 8, 1917 Hopkins Aug. 12, 1919 Wolters Mar. 23, 1920 Leland Nov. 18, 1947 Sansbury Sept. 14, 1948 Kreiner Nov. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Australia June 26, 1941 

